JOHANNESBURG
– KISUA will be hosting a two-day trunk show. Founded by Samuel Mensah, the digital shopping portal stocks ready-to-wear contemporary African fashion, most famously sported by Beyoncé. WHEN January 31 and February 1. WHERE Essential Life, corner 4th Avenue and 9th Street, Parkhurst. INFO Visit kisua.com
– Hosted by the founders of Indie Comedy, Zakkiya Khan and Karmin Naidoo, Space Dot Comedy is a monthly stand-up show showcasing a variety of comedic acts. This show’s line-up includes newcomers Suhayl Essa and Ebenhaezar Dibakwane, support acts Prins and Glen Biderman-Pam and headliners Mojak Lehoko and Deep Fried Man. WHEN January 30 at 8pm. WHERE Space.com at Jo’burg Theatre, 163 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein. INFO Tickets are available through joburgtheatre.com
– Amstel Lite presents the second instalment of Across the Bridge Sessions. Across the Bridge Sessions 2: The Birth of R.A.P (Rhythm and Poetry) brings together three-piece Afrikaans electro rap, Bittereinder and Soweto-based hip-hop outfit, BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness). Represented by the Mandela Bridge linking Braamfontein and Newtown, the shows aim to bridge the physical, metaphorical and musical divide that exists between communities. WHEN January 30. WHERE The Bassline. COST Tickets cost R120 at the door or through Webtickets. Doors open at 8pm.
– Turn back the clock at KIA Motors’ 80s Rewind Festival featuring Billy Ocean, Go West, Nik Kershaw, Heather Small of MPEOPLE, Katrina (from Katrina and the Waves), CINEMA, Face to Face and more. WHEN & WHERE Carnival City Festival lawns in Johannesburg (January 31), Grandwest in Cape Town (February 5) and Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium in Durban (February 7). INFO Tickets available through Computicket. Visit rewindfestival.co.za for more details.
PIETERMARITZBURG
– South African pianist Renée Reznek will give performances of Hade Tata (Sorry Father), composed in tribute to Nelson Mandela by the renowned South African musician and composer Neo Muyanga. The piece also celebrates the 20th anniversary of democracy in South Africa. Reznek’s fundraising campaign for a CD called From Africa with new South African piano music, including PMB Impromptu by Kevin Volans, and Hade Tata by Neo Muyanga, is on Indiegogo. WHEN & WHERE February 3 in Pietermaritzburg, February 8 in Stellenbosch and February 10 in Cape Town. INFO Visit reneereznek.com for more info on how to donate to the campaign.
SWELLENDAM
The Up The Creek Festival marks its 25th birthday this year with acts such as Beatenberg, Taxi Violence, AKing, Zebra & Giraffe, The Kiffness, Mary Scary, Christian Tiger School and more performing on three stages during the course of the four-day festival. WHEN Until February 1. WHERE Swellendam, Breede River. INFO Visit upthecreek.co.za for more details
FRANSCHHOEK
Grande Provence hosts Pasta e Basta, a unique restaurant concept from Amsterdam, where staff — all academy-trained opera singers — break out in song. The group, which has toured all over the world, will perform with the Ikamva Vocal Ensemble from Khayelitsha. Guests will be welcome with flutes of Prosecco and enjoy dinner prepared by executive chef Darren Badenhorst of the Restaurant at Grande Provence. WHEN January 30 from 6.30pm. WHERE The Cellar at Grande Provence. COST R495 a person (excluding gratuity and beverages). INFO Visit grandeprovence.co.za or email [email protected] for bookings.
CAPE TOWN
Vinette Ebrahim and Chris van Niekerk have teamed up to present a brand-new dark comedy, Die Ongelooflike Reis van Max en Lola (The Incredible Journey of Max and Lola). Written by Ebrahim and Hugo Taljaard (who also directs the two-hander), it tells the charming and hilarious story of 80-year-old Max — who is gay and white — and Lola — a 79-year-old sharp-tongued coloured woman — who have been friends for over 50 years despite the country’s political history. The play is performed in Afrikaans mixed with Cape dialect. WHEN Until February 7 at 8.15pm. WHERE Baxter Golden Arrow Studio. INFO Available through Computicket, tickets cost R120 throughout and the Baxter Monday special applies where patrons can book for a light meal and show for R120 for performances on February 2 only.
DURBAN
After setting attendance records around the world and completing one of the biggest comedy tours ever with his Notorious World Tour in 2012, catch Canada’s number one stand-up export Russell Peters in his new Almost Famous World Tour WHEN & WHERE Durban ICC Arena (January 30), Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town (January 31), Big Top Arena, Carnival City (February 5 and 6). INFO Ticket prices range from R325 to R725 from Computicket.